7.20pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 25/07/2017

A field of six go to post for this Class 4 Handicap at Nottingham on Tuesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Ruth Carr’s team is in great order and as such Cosmic Chatter looks a big danger as he remains well treated, but this can go to DARK POWER. He has had only had three runs thus far in his career, winning a course and distance maiden on his penultimate start before needing the run on seasonal/handicap debut earlier this month. He is now down two pounds in the handicap and Adam Kirby takes over the ride, so he looks very tough to beat with the softer ground in his favour.

1 KING OF SPIN – Course and distance winner who is running well for his new yard (Richard Hughes), finishing second at Windsor on his latest start when only beaten half a length. He is only one pound higher here, but the main concern would have to be the softer ground, which is unlikely to be ideal as he’s avoided truly ‘soft’ ground for the entirety of his career. If handling it though he looks to have leading claims, but that is a risk to take.

2 STORM CRY – Won a maiden at Ripon on his third start for Mark Johnston, but she has failed to win in twelve subsequent starts and could only manage sixth at Carlisle when last seen as the favourite. Softer ground looks a better fit for her though and she surely has some races in him off a mark of 82, which is only a pound above her mark when placing at Doncaster back in September. Each way claims under PJ McDonald, though her strike-rate isn’t appealing.

3 COSMIC CHATTER – Ruth Carr’s yard has been in flying form of late and this seven year old returned to form on his latest start when second at Hamilton. The winner was given the run of the race and he was clear of the rest, with the handicapper not changing his mark. That gives him a very good chance under James Sullivan with softer ground not a problem for him, as his last win came at Pontefract in October in softer conditions. That win came off an eight pound higher mark and he looks a big danger today.

4 DARK POWER – Course and distance winner on his second start when winning a maiden in October, returning this season when well beaten on handicap debut at Windsor. He likely needed that run though and a two pound lower mark should help him show his best. He has proven he goes with cut in the ground and Adam Kirby takes the ride for the in form Clive Cox, so he looks the one to side with.  

5 DIRCHILL – Placed in four maidens for David Barron, including two seconds the last twice. He was last seen at Doncaster when beaten half a length over the six furlong trip, with that form subsequently being boosted. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 73 which isn’t necessarily harsh and he has a good chance under Ben Curtis, with the softer ground of no concern. Money for him would be interesting and he’s certainly one to note.

6 CHAMPAGNE BOB – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Richard Price after wins at Chepstow and Newbury, escaping a penalty for his three length victory on his latest start. Katherine Glenister takes the ride and seven pounds off his back, so his claims are obvious with conditions to suit. That said, this race is much tougher than his last two assignments and he does need to have improved. Cannot be discounted but may be caught out by a few of these.